Diabetes mellitus as a cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa: results of a community-based study in Tanzania. The Adult Morbidity and Mortality Project

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of diabetes mellitus to all-cause mortality and diabetes mortality rates in adults 15 years and above living in one urban and two rural areas of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Hai and Morogoro Rural Districts). The three surveillance populations comprised 307,912 persons. Prospective monitoring of all deaths between 1 June 1992 and 31 May 1995 was carried out. Cause of death was determined by verbal 'autopsy' conducted with relatives of the deceased. In total, 4299 deaths were recorded in children (aged < 15 years) and 8054 in adults. In children there were no reported deaths associated with diabetes (due to or in children with diabetes). The adult male mortality rates associated with diabetes were 34, 30, and 15 per 100,000 per year in Dar es Salaam, Hai and Morogoro Rural Districts respectively. The figures in women were 21, 18, and 4 per 100,000 per year, respectively. The percentages of all adult male deaths associated with diabetes were 2.6%, 2.1% and 0.7% respectively. In women the percentages were 1.7%, 1.8%, and 0.2% respectively. Acute metabolic complications, infection, and stroke each accounted for approximately 30% of all diabetic deaths. Thus diabetes mortality rates varied between the three surveillance areas, being lowest in the poorest rural area. Rates were higher in men in all areas. While care is required in the comparison of mortality rates between countries, it was noteworthy that Tanzania, a country with a low diabetes prevalence, had diabetes mortality rates which were higher than or comparable to rates in Mauritius and the United States. Most patients died from preventable causes, indicating a need for improved case-management of diabetic emergencies as well as better detection and treatment of hypertension.